Tag Archives: Infantry

Light is a relative term in the world of ‘Light Infantry’. They live and die by what they carry. Every ounce is considered. Every meal, change of socks, and baby wipe a measured dance between comfort, longevity, and necessity. Mission dictates, but sometimes the mission can change. The troops on the ground having to make due with what they have, or what can be dropped in for them.

I’m really excited to have this piece finished at last. It’s been on the back burner for a long time and it was just great to have a little time to continue to explore this series further.

I’ve always had an affinity for the world of the infantry, I worked alongside them a lot as a forward observer and had to train in many of the same proficiencies when down on the line. Be it 11B or 0311, the infantry of the US Army and the USMC are some of the most highly skilled combat forces in the history of warfare. They are men I’ve been proud to serve alongside.

Be it light, airborne, air assault or mech, they find a way to adapt to the situation and overcome it. There is no substitute when the bullets start to fly for a soldier or marine at your side whose sole job is to carry their rifle and put rounds on target.

There’s something about the profile of a Bradley that just calls to treadheads. Yeah it’s too tall. A bit unwieldy in the corners. An absolute pain to maintain. But it’s distinct. It’s tough. And in all honesty wasn’t even supposed to exist. You can’t help but love the thud of the gun when you fire. The wail of the engine when you gun it, and all those cuts and bruises from pulling the 25mm chaingun make you appreciate it all the more.

I’m using this as the principle art for the unit shirt for the fine infantry of Able Company 1-63AR. And it’s making me want to do more of these ‘armor in profile’ drawings. Look for some Abrams, Paladins, and 113’s to show up soon! And if you’ve got some great reference shots from the field, send them my way!

The M2/M3 Bradley Fighting Vehicle is and always will be one of my favorite vehicles in the Army. The combination of firepower and armor, even its very shape called to me as a Private. I was lucky enough to be one of the first fire support guys to ever train on them and then helped to field them later when they were finally brought to the line in the First Cav.

In fact, I learned to drive and fire one of these behemoths before I even had a drivers license. Funny thing being a fresh faced 19 year old, power sliding around in an armored vehicle before I could even legally drive a car. And firing the 25mm on the range was one of the highlights of my time with the Cav, though tearing the gun down for time left plenty more marks on me as well.

I’ve always had an affinity for the world of the infantry, I worked alongside them a lot as a forward observer and had to train in many of the same proficiencies when down on the line. Be it 11B or 0311, the infantry of the US Army and the USMC are some of the most highly skilled combat forces in the history of warfare. They are men I’ve been proud to serve alongside.

Be it light, airborne, air assault or mech, they find a way to adapt to the situation and overcome it. There is no substitute when the bullets start to fly for a soldier or marine at your side whose sole job is to carry their rifle and put rounds on target.